Tuesday, June 19, 2012

While I was driving to an appointment in a section of town
that was new to me, I passed this awesome store. I really needed another hand
since my two are more than busy lately, what with the summer gardening. It would
be perfect to leave an extra outside doing the weeding while I wrote with my
regular pair…that is if the hired hand could be trained to work alone.

So with high hopes, I pulled into the parking lot, the
converted front yard of an old house. Inside, I was disappointed to find the
first floor filled with gaudy vintage clothing from the 70’s and a sign
pointing upstairs stating “Second Hands.” Frowning, I asked the clerk, “I’m
fine with my own first and second, so do you have any third hands for sale?”

She tilted her head and, without saying a word, turned on
her heel and walked away.

A moment later, a tall, wiry woman approached and crooked a bony
finger, directing me to follow her up the narrow staircase. The boards creaked
under the weight of my steps, but at the top landing I spied what I came for….a
glass display case with half a dozen hands, all resting quietly except for one
that whirled its fingers in my direction to tap on the inside of the
glass. As I reached up to unlock the
case, the shop owner’s face lit with a wry smile and she asked, “Do you wish to
have it wrapped?”

Tea Leaf Tales is a series of original ten-sentence short stories by
Marsha A. Moore, relating to photos/scenes that resonate with her.

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Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. Read her ENCHANTED BOOKSTORE
LEGENDS for adventurous epic fantasy romance: Book One,SEEKING A SCRIBE, and Book Two, HERITAGE AVENGED.She has also authored the Ciel's Legacy series, with fast action mermaid/pirate storylines: TEARS ON A TRANQUIL LAKE and TORTUGA TREASURE. For a FREE ebook download, read her historic fantasy, LE CIRQUE DE MAGIE, available at Amazonand Smashwords.